Astros allow one hit but fall to Mariners

Admitting he was done, lefthander Erik Bedard handed Astros manager Bo Porter the ball and walked off the mound in the seventh inning.

Although the veteran appreciated the standing ovation, he didn’t show emotion while heading to the dugout. As it turned out, Bedard and the Astros didn’t have much reason to rejoice. Seattle pulled off a 4-2 victory despite being limited to one hit Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Although Bedard threw 61⁄3 no-hit innings and struck out 10, he and the Astros couldn’t celebrate because All-Star catcher Jason Castro had two costly passed balls and reliever Jose Cisnero couldn’t strand the runner he inherited.

“I would say it was the strangest game I’ve been involved in from Little League to the big leagues, when you give up one hit and punch out 15 guys and end up on the losing side of it,” Porter said. “But it’s crystal clear how we ended up on the losing side of it.

“When you walk (six) guys and all four of their runs that score are via the walk, there’s no defense for it.”

Outfielder Michael Saunders delivered the Mariners’ lone hit for a game-winning, two-run double to center field in the seventh.

Bedard’s tough fate

Bedard (3-7) gave up three runs (one earned) with five walks and 10 strikeouts, becoming the first pitcher to throw at least 61⁄3 hitless innings and lose since Boston’s Matt Young threw eight hitless innings and lost 2-1 to the Indians on April 12, 1992.

“It’s tough, but I battled for six innings to try to keep the team in the ballgame,” said Bedard, who threw 109 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Hisashi Iwakuma (9-4) earned the victory by holding the Astros to seven hits and two runs with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings.

“Bedard threw a heck of a ballgame,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He had a great breaking ball going, a live fastball. He did everything good to keep us off-balance but we made him work. We were able to get him out of there at a reasonable time and try somebody else out.”

The Mariners became the first team in almost 100 years to score four runs on one or fewer hits without the help of an error.

With the Astros ahead 2-0 in the sixth, Saunders and Brad Miller drew consecutive one-out walks. The runners advanced when Castro had a passed ball on Bedard’s fastball in the dirt to Nick Franklin.

Franklin cut the deficit in half with a sacrifice fly to center. Miller tagged over to third on the fly ball and tied the score when Castro had another passed ball on a fastball that tailed outside to Raul Ibanez.

“With Bedard,” Castro said, “I mean, the way that he pitches I only know what’s coming about half the time. In certain instances it’s tough to catch back there, when he has such good movement and it’s not always what’s expected.”

Bedard retired the first batter he faced in the seventh, but was pulled after walking Justin Smoak.

“The plan was to see if he could have a quick inning,” Porter said. “He was kind of at the end of the rope.”

Porter said he contemplated leaving Bedard in the game, but Bedard said, “I’m done” twice.

“ ‘Are you sure?’ ” Porter said he asked. “ ’Yes, I’m sure.’ At that point, I took the ball.”

No second thoughts

Bedard doesn’t want to throw more than 110 pitches in a game. He mentioned his three shoulder surgeries and said that instead of facing another hitter Saturday he would rather pitch two more years.

Cisnero took over and struck out pinch hitter Dustin Ackley for the second out. After Mike Zunino walked, Saunders hit a two-run double up Tal’s Hill to give the Mariners a 4-2 lead.

It was only the third time the Mariners have won a game over the 20 times they’ve been held to one or fewer hits.

“I feel bad for Bedard,” Cisnero said. “It’s disappointing to throw a game like that and to lose it with only one hit.”

Seattle’s tough offensive night ended their franchise-high streak of 23 straight games with a home run.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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July 21: Mariners 12, Astros 5

Brett Wallace of the Astros tries to get a hit against the Mariners.

July 21: Mariners 12, Astros 5

Brett Wallace of the Astros tries to get a hit against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles wipes sweat from his face after being pulled against the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles wipes sweat from his face after being pulled against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Mariners.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Mariners.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Brandon Barnes of the Astros slides into home safely to score a run.

Brandon Barnes of the Astros slides into home safely to score a run.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Jake Elmore of the Astros tries to remove dirt from his eye.

Jake Elmore of the Astros tries to remove dirt from his eye.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tries to make a play at second base.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tries to make a play at second base.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles makes a throw to the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles makes a throw to the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros manager Bo Porter makes a pitching move.

Astros manager Bo Porter makes a pitching move.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Jake Elmore of the Astros gets caught in a rundown against the Mariners.

Jake Elmore of the Astros gets caught in a rundown against the Mariners.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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July 20: Mariners 4, Astros 2

Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes charges up Tal's Hill but can't make the play on a two-run double by Seattle outfielder Michael Saunders to break up a no-hitter during the seventh inning. It was the Mariners' only hit on the night. less

July 20: Mariners 4, Astros 2

Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes charges up Tal's Hill but can't make the play on a two-run double by Seattle outfielder Michael Saunders to break up a no-hitter during the ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) celebrates with Raul Ibanez as he scores on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) celebrates with Raul Ibanez as he scores on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard gets a new ball after giving up a run on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard gets a new ball after giving up a run on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during the third inning.

Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during the third inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma gets ready to apply the tag as Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell is caught in a rundown during the sixth inning.

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma gets ready to apply the tag as Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell is caught in a rundown during the sixth inning.